24 EFFECT OF LIGHT AND NOISE ON EFFICIENCY AND WORKER PRODUCTIVITY

Rymala Mathen

Introduction

The work environment in which a worker works has a big influence on the amount of strain acquired by the worker while performing the task and his productivity.

Even the most improved machine or technology or work methods are not going to help if the work place where he or she work has insufficient light, smoke and fumes, lack of cleanliness and unbearable noise etc. Bad working environments markedly increase strain on the workers, reduce their efficiency and ultimate result is low productivity.

Worker productivity – employee productivity can be defined as the efficiency level of employees productions or output performing in a job (JunaidaIsmail,2010). Better outcomes and increased productivity is assumed to be the result of better workplace environment, better physical environment of workshop will boost the employees and ultimately improve their productivity (Mathews and Khann,2013).

Work place environment:

• Factors of workplace environment play an important role towards the employee’s performance. The physical aspects of a workplace environment can have a direct impact on the productivity, health and safety, comfort, concentration, job satisfaction and morale of the people within it. Age and building design, layout of workplace, workstation setup, quality and design of furniture and equipment, space, temperature, lighting and ventilation, noise, vibration, radiation, air quality etc are the important factors (Anil P Sarode, Manisha Shirsath,2014)
• By creating an inviting atmosphere, employees will feel more engaged, which ultimately leads to increased productivity. Some of the changes are easier to make than others, but making an effort not only makes the employees happier, but it can also help to increase the productivity.

As defined by British Standard institution, work study is a term for ‘Method study’ and ‘work measurement’ which are used in the examination of human work in all its contexts and which leads systematically to all the factors which affects the efficiency of the situation in order to seek improvements.

Today, work study is very important in industries where they are very complex and modernized naturally demand a more systematic approach. Its applications include Industries (production, operations, research and development), (2) Marketing, sales and distribution,(3) offices, stores, and warehouses, (4) Material handling, (5) design(6) Building and other constructions (7) Transport, (8) Hospital (9) army(7) and agriculture etc.

Industrial engineering systems by nature are often human machine systems which involves determining the best combination of human and machine elements. Ergonomics or its American equivalent Human Engineering may be defined as the scientific study of the relationship between man and his working environments. Though both work study and Ergonomics are complimentary and try to fit the job to the workers, however ergonomics deals with factors governing physical and mental strain.

Ergonomics can be profitably applied in (1) Design of man machine system(2) Design of working environments and (3) design of consumer goods and service systems. Objectives of the study of ergonomics is to optimize the integration of man and machine in order to increase work rate and accuracy. It involves the design of (a) workplace befitting the needs and requirements of the worker, (b) equipment, machinery and controls in such a manner so as to minimize mental and physical strain on the worker thereby increasing the efficiency and (c) a conducive environment for executing the task most effectively.

Working environment are those which surround the worker as he performs his task. It affects his physical well being and therefore his efficiency towards his work. Some of the working conditions are (a) Lighting (b) Ventilation (c) Temperature control and air conditioning (d)  Noise and vibrations (e) Good housekeeping (f) Drinking water and hygiene (g) Nutrition (h) The work place (i) safety and (j) colour.

Let us see the effect of light and sound in detail

The American Society of Interior Designers found that physical workplace design is one of the top three factors that affect an employee’s performance and job satisfaction.

• lighting is the primary factor that affects an employee’s productivity
• temperature has a greater effect on female employees than on male employees
•  male employees are highly affected by office furniture
•  both natural and artificial light are necessary to maximize employee productivity
• spatial arrangement of office furniture is important to productivity
• The results of the study conducted in China by CM Mak (2005), show that among the five environmental and office design factors examined, light, sound and temperature were the principal factors affecting office productivity. A strong and significant correlation was also found between changes in office productivity and light, sound, temperature and office layout.

Lighting

One of the most important environmental factors which increases productivity is lighting which reduces accidents and adds to employee satisfaction. Good lighting has the following advantages like

(i)   increase in output, therefore decrease in costs

(ii) reduction of accidents

(iii) improvement in the quality of products

(iv) increased visibility,

(v) spoilage will be reduced and so reduced rework,

(vi) better floor area utilization and improved housekeeping

(vii) better maintenance and cleanliness of plant

(viii) supervision of materials in process and finished products are made easier and better and

(ix) mproved morale and self esteem among workers resulting in reduced labor turnover.(OP Khanna,2001)

According to Andrew Jensen (2017) a study conducted by the American Society of Interior Design indicated that 68 percent of employees had complains about the lighting fixtures in their offices. The common reasons for poor office lighting are lights that are too dim and lights that are too bright.

•  Dim lights, will affect productivity for different reasons. First, it may cause eye strain and headaches, drowsiness and lack of focus, as in inadequate lighting, the eyes are forced to work which would obviously have a negative impact on employee motivation. Harsh lighting, which is more common is as harmful as dim lighting. Florescent lighting, also cause eye strain, and it is also cited as a trigger for migraine headaches. Very bright/ harsh lighting also makes it more difficult for the eye to focus, so alternatives should be sought whenever possible.
• Since dim lighting lowers productivity and fluorescent lighting cause headaches, it is better to incorporate both natural and artificial light. Employees who work near the windows feel more focused and relaxed. A bright office create a more cheerful mood and helps facilitate productivity. In addition, employees will find themselves distracted if the office is too hot or too cold and so a comfortable temperature suitable for everyone is essential to be maintained with proper ventilation.
• The initial cost of a lighting renovation could seem daunting, the gains due to energy savings and- more importantly- productivity gains more than make up for the cost of the investment.
• Natural light itself is the best alternative to bright lighting and dim lighting systems the studies conducted has shown that number of windows determine the occupants’ level of satisfaction in a building. Lighting has the ability to affect the human body in two ways: directly, affecting what and how well we are able to see, and indirectly, in affecting or creating our mood, behavior, and also even hormonal balance. Renovations for natural lighting create happier workers, increased attendance, and reduced sick leaves, because better lighting stimulates the spirit and energy among workers, which results in increased productivity.
• As opined by Khanna (2001), characteristics of good lighting are, (i) light Intensity should be suitable for the operations that are performed (ii) Equal brightness throughout the floor (iii) light should not be glaring but diffused (iv) there should not be sharp contrast in light between eachobjects and the surrounding background(v) shadows should not be marked and (vi) avoid dazzling light
• Nature of light- for working natural light is the best, but with the time of day, time of the year and weather(cloudy) conditions it varies and also varies with the size and positions of windows and moreover regulation of the intensity of natural lighting is not possible. So use of artificial lighting is necessary. Levels of illumination are measured in terms of Lumens and one lumen /ft2 is equal to one foot candle.
•  Recommended standards of illumination for different types of work are given below.

The key component of vision is light and vision being responsible for 80 to 85 percent of our perception of the world around us, we cannot ignore proper lighting strategies in the work place. Opting for more natural lighting or other lighting systems that have been proven effective, will not only save energy but also increase productivity among the business’s employees.

NOISE AND VIBRATIONS

•  Noise is one of the biggest distractions in the workplace, and it can also be one of the biggest reasons why employees aren’t productive. Some people work better when there’s background noise while other employees work better when it’s completely silent.
• Noise and vibrations are other important factors which affect productivity. Both loud and monotonous noises are produce fatigue on workers.
• Emotional excitement will result among workers due to constant and intermittent noise also tends the worker to lose temper and also find difficulty in doing precision work.
• Disturbing noises will result in quarrel and poor conduct on the part of workers and also Irritating noise levels will increase the pulse rate and blood pressure and result in irregularities in heart rhythm. Hence noise affects job performance, health of employees and employee’s morale.
• Most industrial operations are noisy. Noise is harmful to human beings and it can become a health hazard. Sometimes continuous noise is less harmful than the Intermittent noise .
• Complaining about noise in the workplace can seem trivial to some, but excessive or continual sounds can affect the physical and mental health of employees. Whether the noise is coming from office machines, chattering co-workers or construction, the effects can lead to an increase in disturbed emotions and a reduction in productivity. Although not all office noise can be avoided, sounds throughout the workspace should be monitored regularly to ensure that employees are able to function properly.
• The three most annoying noise sources, including conversation, ringing phones and machines, differed little in mean annoyance scores for the low- and high-productivity participants, indicating that they had a significant negative impact on all participants.
• The results also indicate that low-productivity participants were easily influenced by noises such as background noise, closing doors, and human activity, as well as those coming from both inside and outside the office.

Sound proofing:

Aim of sound proofing must be decided first as to whether it is to prevent inside noise from getting outside or outside noise from getting inside. To prevent inside noise getting outside needs noise reduction while to prevent inside noise getting outside requires noise absorption which are two very different concepts as per Alex Cosper (2011). By stopping the sound, noise will be reduced while noise absorption alters the sound which can eliminate reverberation.

Noise control: An online study by Occupational and Environmental Medicine, revealed that as much as 21 percent of endure continuously high noise levels in the work place. Noise levels above a worker’s comfort level can produce high levels of stress, which may cause conditions like heart disease.

According to Janet Hunt (2011), there are two strategies which can be used to reduce noise in the work place are engineering controls and administrative controls.

Engineering controls: As per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), engineering controls are the preferred method of reducing noise levels in the work places.

It involves equipment modifications which include using sound absorption techniques like muffling equipment which help to absorb vibrations. If engineering controls fail to reduce the noise levels in the work place, protective hearing devices should be provided to employees.

To reduce mental fatigue of the workers resulting in accidents and industrial deafness by minimizing undesirable noises, noise can be controlled by:

1)      proper machine lubrication, maintenance, padding, and by providing noise mufflers.

2)      Using noise absorbers

3)      Improving work place layout.

4)      Isolating noise sources from the work place.

5)      Redesigning the plant for better acoustical properties (Khanna, 2001)

As given by www. modern partitions.com, method of sound proofing are as follows:

a.  Measure the dimensions of the room as space is needed to make partitions which will reduce the sound considerably. Use a sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter to track the decibel levels in the room. SPL meters are available in electronics shop or online stores.

b. If windows need sound proofing as noise can be heard through the glass, then other options like adding a second window pane, which reduces noise by adding space between the glass or by plugging the window. Covering of windows with acoustical drapes is also another option usually done in hotels to block noise.

c.To understand the amount of noise reduction required to satisfy business needs, Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings should be known which represents the amounts of decibel reduction that a wall or partition provides. Through a wall with the STC   rating of 30, speech can be heard, whereas the voice is blocked at 60 rating.

 d.To reduce noise, STC ratings should be increased by adding mass, space, and absorptive materials. A common STC rating for office walls is 50 and if we install the insulation within walls to increase STC ratings by five decibels, will make a big difference.

e.  In walls, where unwanted sound is generated, apply noise reduction materials lead, concrete, sheet rock or dry wall (a type of board made from plaster, wood pulp, or other material, used especially to form the interior walls of houses). Bricks and sandbags which are mass help in blocking the noise while soft surfaces reduce noise like lead which is sound proofing. Select the materials as per STC ratings and then apply those materials on walls.

f. For optimal noise reduction, increase in space between the walls is the best option.

Administrative controls.

Administrative controls involve room treatments like placing carpets and other noise barriers between the workers and equipments which are effective in reducing noise levels. Relocation of equipment to less occupied areas and also replacement of outdated equipment with a quieter versions or running the equipment at a lower speed levels are also helpful in reducing noise.

•   If the office layout is open, with a space in the office where employees can go when they need a quiet place to work. Also, make sure that the office furniture is comfortable, especially if the employees have to sit for long periods of time. Try spacing between the furniture so that it’s not too close together that the office doesn’t look cluttered orunorganized. Doing this can help to make the employees feel more relaxed and less stressed, thus helping them to be more productive.

Assessment:

Assessment of noise level is very important and strategies must be developed by the management to reduce noise in the workplace. The first step of assessment is to identify the source of excessive noise and conducting surveys to assess the noise levels and recording the current noise levels during the course of the work day. If noise levels are too high, steps must be taken to reduce or remove the employee from the noisy environment.

A work place noise policy should be developed and implemented by the employers as per OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. Organizations should review their noise policies and its effectiveness periodically and reduce noise levels in the work place.

Vibrations

•  Machines are usually constructed of localized masses, each of which contains moving parts and since the moving parts do not always move at the same velocity due to the wide range of feed and speed combinations, and also the machine structure is subjected to forces in various directions. As a result, the machine starts vibrating.
• Vibration is undesirable for several reasons. After long periods, vibration can cause structural fatigue and eventual failure of mechanical systems. Vibrations cause annoyance and disturbance. Vibrations result in sound radiation and airborne noise.
•  Vibrations can cause detrimental effects on human performance. Vibrations of high amplitude and low frequency have undesirable effects on body organs and tissue. The parameters of vibrations are frequency, amplitude, velocity, acceleration and jerk.
• The vibrations may be minimized by (i) separating machine foundations from adjoining floors. (ii) Designing machine foundations using accepted criteria and not by using rule of thumb. (iii) Properly balancing the machines dynamically (iv) Locating vibration producing machines such as hammers, presses etc. away from the general working area.(v)    Using vibration absorbers and impact dampers etc. (vi) Placement of machines on springs, rubber or felt etc.

Cases in which vibrations are transmitted to the body through a supporting area; for example, through the feet of a man standing by a shakeout facility in a factory has the greatest effect on working efficiency and on the health, safety and comfort of the working force. Various parts of the body resonate at specific frequencies, causing disturbance. Moreover, human tolerance of vibrations decreases as the exposure time increases. Workers may be protected against vibrations in different ways such as:

   ( i) The applied forces responsible for initiating the vibration may be reduced

(ii) Body position may be altered so as to result in lessening of the disturbing vibratory forces.

(iii) Supports may be introduced that will cushion the body and thus damp higher amplitude vibrations. Seat suspension systems involving hydraulic shock absorbers, coil or leaf springs, rubber shear type mountings or torsion bars may be used.

Conclusion

For any industry, the most important assets are employees as they give recognition to the industry. Majority of the employees spend most of the time on generating activities in the workshop and so work environment has a great role on employees’ productivity. The workshop environment factors such as lighting, noise, temperature and furniture play a great impact on employee productivity both physically and psychologically. Some health problems like headaches due to poor lighting system, and undesirable noise, respiratory problems due to poor air quality, physical fatigue due to poor furniture and posture etc. In the long run this will affect the financial well being of the industry or organization.

References:

• Alex Cosper (2011).How to soundproof a business office , www.fireandsafetyforum.com
• Andrew Jensen (2017)www.officex.org
• Dr. Anil P Sarode, Manisha Shirsath, “The Factors Affecting Employee Work
• Environment & It’s Relation with Employee Productivity” International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Impact Factor (2012): 3.358 Volume 3 Issue 11, November 2014.
• JunaidaIsmail, 2010; International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) Volume 5 Issue 4, April 2016 www.ijsr.net
• Janet Hunt (2011), Two strategies that can be used to reduce noise in the workplace, Sliding partitions www. modern partitions.com
• Khanna, OP, 2001, Work study, Himalaya Publications, New Delhi Mathews C. and I.K Khann,2013. Impact of Work Environment on Performance of Employees in Manufacturing Sector in India: Literature Review, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online)
• Mak CM. A prediction method for aerodynamic sound produced by multiple elements in air ducts. Journal of Sound and Vibration 2005; 287: 395–403. Google Scholar